Jefferson Parish school system discriminates against Latino students, group alleges

For the third time this year, the Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a civil rights complaint against the Jefferson Parish school system, this time for discriminating against Latino students with Spanish-speaking parents.

The center filed the complaint today with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of 16 Latino students and their families.

It describes how parents with limited English proficiency are unable to read and understand important school notices written in English and unable to communicate effectively with school staffers because of the lack of interpretation services.

The school system has also created a hostile environment for Latino students by allowing employees to harass students about their citizenship status, the complaint alleges.

"Jefferson Parish public schools must end these discriminatory practices and recognize that these students have the same rights as English-speaking families," said Jennifer Coco, a staff attorney for the center's Louisiana office. "This is about ensuring every student in the district has an opportunity to succeed and that all parents have a meaningful opportunity to participate in their child's education."

Jefferson Parish school officials expressed disappointment in the center's latest action against the system. "JPPSS is committed to providing support for all parents with (limited English proficiency) regardless of their primary language," system spokeswoman Monica Pierre said.

She said the system offers Spanish-language versions of policy and procedures manuals, and Spanish-speaking personnel are available for families when needed.

The center's action Wednesday marks the third time this year that the civil rights group has filed a civil rights complaint against the system.

The latest complaint says the school system has failed to provide Spanish speaking parents with information they can understand regarding school discipline and special education services, as well as important notices about their eligibility for limited English proficiency services, major school events, parent-teacher conferences and school closures.

The complaint also describes how the school system's staff has created a hostile learning environment for Latino students and has routinely interrogated them about their citizenship status as condition of enrollment in and graduation from Jefferson Parish schools.